May 27th 2024.
The relationship between the European Union and Israel hit a rough patch on Monday, just before EU members Ireland and Spain were set to diplomatically recognize a Palestinian state. Tensions rose as Madrid called for sanctions against Israel for their violent attacks in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz informed Spain that their consulate in Jerusalem would no longer be allowed to assist Palestinians. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell threw his support behind the International Criminal Court, which was seeking an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders involved in the conflict.
However, Borrell also expressed concern about the accusations of antisemitism being thrown at the court's prosecutor. He believed that the use of such a heavy term in this situation was unnecessary.
On Tuesday, Ireland, Spain, and Norway planned to officially recognize a Palestinian state. While many countries have already recognized Palestine, this move by major Western powers was significant. The Palestinians saw it as a step towards gaining international recognition for their struggle.
But amidst this political turmoil, there were also heated exchanges between officials. Katz accused Spain of "rewarding terror" by recognizing Palestine and referenced the Spanish Inquisition as an example of their past persecution of Jews and Muslims. However, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares condemned these comments and stated that his colleagues from Ireland and Norway were also receiving unjust and reprehensible provocations from Israel.
Albares emphasized the importance of European unity in the face of such intimidation and propaganda. He also mentioned that Slovenia's Prime Minister Robert Golob would be making a decision on recognition of a Palestinian state on Thursday.
Borrell expressed his disappointment with Israel's recent actions, including their decision to stop transferring tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority. He even stated that he would no longer refer to Israel as a whole, but rather as the "Netanyahu government" due to their current decisions.
The EU and its member nations had previously condemned the Hamas-led attack on October 7th, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 others. However, they also criticized Israel's response, which has caused the deaths of over 36,000 Palestinians. The recent airstrikes in Rafah, which resulted in the deaths of 45 people, have only added to the tension.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto expressed concern about the long-term effects of Israel's actions, saying that it would only spread more hatred and involve future generations. The U.N.'s top court, the International Court of Justice, also called for an immediate halt to Israel's offensive in Rafah.
Albares stated that Spain and other countries had asked Borrell to provide a list of measures that the EU could take to make Israel comply with the ICJ's ruling. They also wanted to know what actions the EU had taken in the past when there had been similar violations of international law.
The joint announcement by Spain, Ireland, and Norway sparked a negative response from Israeli authorities. They summoned the ambassadors of these countries to the Foreign Ministry, where they were shown videos of the October 7th attack and abductions. Albares condemned this treatment and stated that it went against diplomatic courtesy and the customs of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Despite these challenges, Albares reiterated their goal to recognize the state of Palestine and work towards a permanent ceasefire and lasting peace. The situation was complex and tense, but they were determined to find a resolution.
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